The Capitals should enjoy a solid territorial advantage against the Canadiens, they have done well against them in the circle, though the addition of Dominic Moore at the trade deadline may add to their strength. Remember the first and third games of the season series were in Washington, for those tracking home and away faceoff success.

Let's start with Canadiens center Tomas Plekanec. He has taken the most faceoffs for the Canadiens this season, and has won 49.0% (791 of 1615). Here is a look at his game by game totals against the Capitals this season, which are less than impressive.

#14 Tomas Plekanec

Game

Won

Total

Win%

11/20

16

31

51.6%

11/28

7

21

33.3%

1/5

10

22

45.5%

2/10

16

33

48.5%

Totals

49

107

45.8%

The Capitals centers have all fared well against him, as shown below:

Morrison

Game

Won

Total

Win%

11/20

3

5

60.0%

11/28

2

3

66.7%

1/5

2

7

28.6%

2/10

2

3

66.7%

Totals

9

18

50.0%

Backstrom

Game

Won

Total

Win%

11/20

5

15

33.3%

11/28

7

10

70.0%

1/5

5

10

50.0%

2/10

12

22

54.5%

Totals

29

57

50.9%

Steckel

Game

Won

Total

Win%

11/20

3

5

60.0%

11/28

2

4

50.0%

1/5

3

3

100%

2/10

1

3

33.3%

Totals

9

15

60.0%

The next Canadiens center to take a look at is Scott Gomez. He has taken the second-most faceoffs for the Habs this season and has won 50.8% (698 of 1375). Gomez has had mixed success this season against the Caps. (Note: He missed the November 28 game.)

#91 Scott Gomez

Game

Won

Total

Win%

11/20

5

12

41.7%

1/5

7

16

43.8%

2/10

16

27

59.3%

Totals

28

55

50.9%

Among the Capitals centers, Nicklas Backstrom in particular has struggled against Gomez this season:

Morrison

Game

Won

Total

Win%

11/20

0

1

0%

1/5

2

2

100%

2/10

2

3

66.7%

Totals

4

6

66.7%

Backstrom

Game

Won

Total

Win%

11/20

2

4

50.0%

1/5

0

3

0%

2/10

4

9

44.4%

Totals

6

16

37.5%

Steckel

Game

Won

Total

Win%

11/20

1

2

50.0%

1/5

4

6

66.7%

2/10

2

4

50.0%

Totals

7

12

58.3%

The third center for the Habs I'll look at is Dominic Moore. He has taken the third most faceoffs among Canadiens roster players and has won 55.1% (365 of 663). He played three games against the Capitals this season while with the Florida Panthers.

#19 Dominic Moore

Game

Won

Total

Win%

12/3

11

17

64.7%

1/13

3

7

42.9%

1/29

5

6

83.3%

Totals

19

30

63.3%

The Capitals centers haven't faced him much this season, but two of them have been shut out against him.

Morrison

Game

Won

Total

Win%

12/3

0

1

0%

1/13

0

2

0%

Totals

0

3

0%

Backstrom

Game

Won

Total

Win%

12/3

1

2

50%

1/13

3

3

100%

1/29

0

2

0%

Totals

4

7

57.1%

Steckel

Game

Won

Total

Win%

12/3

0

2

0%

1/29

0

1

0%

Totals

0

3

0%

Moving on to the Capitals centers briefly, Nicklas Backstrom has taken the most draws for the Washington Capitals and has won 49.9% (667 of 1336) this season, but has seemed to have trouble against the Habs.

#19 Nicklas Backstrom

Game

Won

Total

Win%

11/20

8

21

38.1%

11/28

8

17

47.1%

1/5

9

20

45.0%

2/10

17

32

53.1%

Totals

42

90

46.7%

David Steckel has taken the second-most draws for the Washington Capitals and has won a league second-best 59.2% (637 of 1076) this season, and had no trouble against Montreal.

#39 David Steckel

Game

Won

Total

Win%

11/20

7

13

53.8%

11/28

4

7

57.1%

1/5

10

12

83.3%

2/10

3

7

42.9%

Totals

24

39

61.5%

Veteran center Brendan Morrison took the third most draws for the Capitals this season and won a respectable 51.2% (501 of 978). He did very well against Montreal.